Many abroad may still retain the image of Sweden as the land of social justice, tolerance and.. well, the spirit of Olof Palme, even. Apart from the rise of the Swedish ultranationalist party with nazi-roots to become the second largest party in Sweden, the current Conservative Swedish PM is among the most corrupt politicians in the history of Swedish politics. The following editorial is a translation from Swedish and was first published in the newspaper Aftonbladet, penned by Susanna Kierkegaard, published June 26 2026.
Kristersson has spent his career ripping the public off
VISBY. Today it is Ulf Kristersson's turn to babble on the big stage in Almedalen. It is probably the prime minister's last chance to reach voters before the election campaign starts after the holidays.
But instead of listening to what Kristersson says today, the Swedish people should focus on what their prime minister has actually done.
Ulf Kristersson's political career has followed a clear pattern. Over the years, he has done as much as possible to benefit himself. He has lived well on taxpayers' money while ordinary people have struggled to afford to pay the bills.
Luxurious interior design
The current term of office has been marred by scandals. In April 2026, [the newspaper] Expressen revealed how the prime minister and his wife Birgitta Ed have demanded expensive interior design and luxury renovations. Taxpayers have had to pay for everything from state-of-the-art gyms for 653,000 Swedish Crowns (approx €59,000) to kitchen rugs, lamps, pillows and sculptures.
Previous prime ministers have also used the opportunity to adapt their official residence when they moved in. But Ulf Kristersson stands out – partly because of the indiscriminately high costs, and partly because he continued enrich himself throughout his term.
Free work at the mansion
In June 2026, Aftonbladet revealed that the prime minister couple has used volunteer workers to renovate their mansion in Sörmland. The value of the estate increases with the help of the free workers, who are lured there with the offer of “a good network” and meet in the prime minister’s residence, Sagerska Palatset.
Parts of the estate are rented out to Birgitta Ed’s foundation, which is dedicated to “existential health” with Christian values. Participants pay thousands of Swedish Crowns to go there on silent retreats. The only one who draws a salary is Birgitta Ed.
Private parties in the official residence
Kristersson has consistently allowed both family and lobbyists to use the prime minister's official residences, Sagerska Palatset and Harpsund, for parties. In November 2025, Aftonbladet revealed that the independent school, Europaskolan, had been allowed to arrange an exclusive dinner in Sagerska Palatset. Corruption expert Olle Lundin called it "obvious lobbying right into the prime minister's home".
In October 2025, it emerged that Kristersson had also had his daughter's student association party at Harpsund. The building is intended to be the prime minister's "honorary residence and representational place" – not a place for parties where the prime minister himself is not even present. Kristersson's sister-in-law was also allowed to use Harpsund for her birthday party.
Lowered taxes for himself
During his term in office, Ulf Kristersson has lowered taxes for himself by thousands of Swedish Crowns, hundreds of Euros, a month. His own salary has been increased significantly every year, while ordinary people have struggled with high food prices, frozen child benefits and hefty rent increases.
This is actually nothing new. Kristersson has spent his entire political career embezzling.
Apartment and taxi rides
As a city council member responsible for social matters in Stockholm in 2006, Kristersson was given an apartment intended for sick, homeless and vulnerable women. He got the apartment through the top management of Ersta Diakonisällskap (The Ersta Diaconal Society Foundation). Before moving in, Kristersson demanded new wallpaper, repainting and a completely new kitchen. As if by pure coincidence, Ersta had a healthcare contract worth several million SEK with the City of Stockholm, within Kristersson's decision-making area.
As a member of parliament, Kristersson took a taxi 668 times between 2015 and 2016 – five times more than moderate parliamentarians with similar assignments. Taxpayers were fined 113,000 Swedish Crowns for his habits (approx €10,200). He often between the parliament and T-Centralen, the Central Station. The distance is 920 meters and would have taken two minutes more if walking instead.
“Homo bidragus”
While he himself has exploited the system to the maximum, he has shown contempt for ordinary people and their challenges. As Minister of Social Insurance in 2013, Kristersson said that workers with physically demanding jobs who were worried about a higher retirement age simply needed to take greater personal responsibility to “stay in physical shape”.
In his 1993 book “Generationskriget” (The War of Generations), Kristersson called older generations “homo bidragus.” ("Homo Benefitus")
“Why should we trust them when they just shoehorn themselves in and leave the bill and the remains of the system to us?” wondered the young Kristersson.
The Swedish people should ask themselves the same question this fall in relation to their government.